Stony Point: Marian Shrine Launches ADMA

By Fr. Steve Shafran, SDB

(Stony Point, NY – February 1) – The Marian Shrine kicked off Don Bosco week in a huge way with the launch of ADMA this past Sunday, January 28. Salesian Cooperator Ana Gaillat, the new coordinator for the ADMA Unit at the Shrine, led the organizational meeting that welcomed 63 members. The breakfast meeting had strong components of formation presenting the history of ADMA, Don Bosco’s vision for it, an outline of practical suggestions for the personal responsibilities of each member along with indications and guidelines for ADMA activities at the Marian Shrine. The group’s spiritual advisor, Fr. Steve Shafran, SDB, presented aspects of Salesian spirituality taken from the province formation manual Hearts Present & Joyful, along with the video of the 2024 Strenna “the Dream that Makes You Dream” with Cardinal Ángel.

Both Sunday Masses at the Shrine were dedicated to St. John Bosco. They included reverence of his first-class relic and a social after each Mass in Fr. Lee Hall. This coming weekend, the Marian Shrine will welcome Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga, SDB, from Honduras for the rededication of the Mary Help of Christians Chapel and blessing of the renovations. The events begin on Saturday evening, February 3, at 7:00 p.m. EST with the Rising Stars Celebrating Mary concert, where young adult Christian musicians and singers will lead praise and worship along with artist Paul Christopher, who will paint “live” during the performances. Tickets are available at the Shrine’s gift shop or at the door on the night of the concert.

The next morning, Sunday, February 4, the rededication and blessing of the Chapel will take place at the 11:00 a.m. EST Mass followed by a celebratory luncheon in Fr. Lee Hall. The Salesian Family and guests are invited to all the events.

We are excited to launch a new era in ministry at the Marian Shrine, expand the Salesian Family here, and build on the wonderful work of the Shrine’s founders and all the Salesians who ministered here in the past. God is really blessing us, and Mary is guiding us. The Shrine is her “house,” and it is truly “a piece of Heaven on earth.”